Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20
THE WIDOWS ADONIS.


tails treated with maternal partiality by that cke
Jade, Fortune. No stepdame frowns fell TO his
share no chilling glanees, no rebufrs. Everything
went Well with him.
DID he speculate imprudently, the speculation.
however unprOmiSing, was certain to do weIl did
he back rank outsider for great race, IL was
almost certain OF place. Fortune always be-
frieHded him. He generally rose a winner from
his pOs-prdndia rubber, not because his skill was
extraordinary. but from sheer force OF luck; and
II was on record that on occasion he broke the
bank at Monte Carlo.
lie WAS. besides, extremely handsome though
on a Iliiputian scale; for Fitzgerald Brandon was
not only one OF the luckfest but also one OF the
smallest OF men. He stood Just flve feet I'VE In
his boots, but his neat little figure always dressed
IN the most perfect-ftting chef cr9uure OF Small
page or Poole, was 80 erect, Sodapper and so we'll
proportioned, that any shortcomings OF stature
were readily forgiven and forgotten by his nu-
merous admirers OF the fair sex. For, whatever
the lady nOvelists may say, women are not so ut
terly devoted 10 those lords OF hercuean build ana
suDerhuman physical strength who Invariably
figure in the pages OF fashionable fiction.
Little Fitz was In his way, quite lady-killer
and as he was well known to be a rich as well as q
lucky man, his lines generally fell In pleasah.
places His position In society was asSured, ana
many fair deInoisele moving in the very pest
circles would have been viking enough 10 snare
But little Fitz seemed reluctant to don the mat
rimOniai letters: he eSchewed the society OF the
demoiselle marrer, preferring the malureI
charms OF ladies who already wore the marriage
ring and yet could enjoy Irritation without Tear
OF scandal
In short. little FItz was a devoted admirer of
that privileged class, young and pretty widows
Perhaps ne fondly imagined ne was less likely 10
be caught by these bereaved sirens than oy
young debutantes Still under the maternal wing.
At all events, he was nearly always to De seen
with one other OF these fair ladies, VINO, having
doaed their weeds, had bOomed out again in all
their pristine brililaney-
And that IL how he won the soubriquet by which
HI was known in every club in London OF 1.-The
Widows AdOniS.f
Just look at the fellow, How any woman can
take UP with such conceited little coxcoinD,
can't imagine" said Maitland, OF the 50th
DTagoons-a heavy dragon In more senses than
one for he rode fourteen stone and was more re-
narkable for breadth OF shoulder than quickneSS
OF Vito his filus Achates one morning In tue
.sThere,s no accounting for tastes, muttered the
other pulling his muStache and darttng envious
chances little Fitz, VINO was seated between two
seemed nightly TO relish the position. 81 should
have thought charming woman like Mrs. Des-
glared fercely at the dapper hgure of little Fitz,
who was laughing and chatting gaily to hts fair
companions. II looks could kill, what wholesale
sIau hter would go on in this highly civilized
srOpOlis OF ours
Jack Carnforth, the impecunious onshoot of an
ancient family tree, would have given good deal
To secure pretty Mrs. Desmond and her fortune,
which was said to be considerable. At one time
she mad accepted his homage with apparent pleas
Ure. but since Fitzgerald Brandon had crossed her
path she had turned a deaf ear to the pennlles5
young attaches pretty speeches. Poor Carnforth,
in spite OF MS good looks, felt that he was hope
lessly out OF the running. for, though Brandon
might be, Maitland said, ga conceited little
coxcomb,- it was impossible to deny that he
possessed the art of making himself agreeable.
The two ladies, between whom this miniature
Paris was seated, were as antagonistic TO each
other Maitland and GarnrOrIh were TO the
object OF their rivalry, for the two pretty
widows were rivals and mated each other cor
daily. though they called each other "dear
.lpar Clpmp0tiUa
eyes OF the world posed as great friends and
allies.
and each fldtJered herself that her friend was an
excellent foil 10 her own charms Minna Desmond
WIS a tall, handsome brunette, with fine eyes ami
magnificent black hair, while Clementina SOmers
was a falTy-like blonde, with dazzling CON-
pleXion. fright blue eyes and eievelure OF the
most beautiful-dye; at least so her dear Minna'
said. Both were reputed TO be wealthy and ac-
knOwledged 10 be charming, and both were bent
on securing the affection OF that fortunate indi-
v1duaI. ..Ihe widows AdOniS.'
''Pshaw!" mUttered CarnfOrth, he watched
the trio Il suppose his money IS the attraction"
..OI course ii Is. You don't think any woman
would admire his looks, do your" retOrted Malt
Land, squaring his broad shoulders and arranging
the gdTtiend In his buttOn-hOle. .'WOmen are al
ways merccnary," he added, with sigh.
lie had only couple of hundred as ear and his
pay \ good matrimonial venture would have set
him firmly his financial feet again. for il would
have enabled MN TO bid defiance TO a certain jew
mOney-iender VINO held more Of his paper than
he cared 10 think Of Besides. he really admired
Mrs SOmeTS, and IL enraged him to ste her show
this marked preference for Brandon.
Meanwhile the latter. In serene Inconsistencies
OF the wrath he was rOusag in TWO manly bosonS,
was thoroughly enjoying himself. The old adage
did not held good for Once; he found three excel
lent company. He admired both his fair compan-
ions, and their all bur open rivalry lent delight
lul piduancy To their conversation. Each was so
anxious tO out shine the other that their talk was
almost brilliant, and little FltZ was kept we'll
aInI:sed Like many lien who are not remlrlahie
Tor wit. he admired women WHO could skllfuliy
use that essentially feminine weapon, the tongue;
nothing charmed MIN more than a ready retort or
neat epigram; and even satire, II not leveled
against himself pleased him
That morning both ladies had hoped to secure
him for an hours chat; II Was unfortunate that
The hopes OF both should be fulfilled and yet baf-
fled
MInna wished TO have him all TO herself: it was
really most provoking that ClementinaS wishes
claShed with hers.
Are you going to MIS-. Eaton's this afternoon"
asked The Latter. in the soft usping tones her
friends stigmatiZed .absurdiy affected but
which many people thought charming
"1es-that Is IL you anu Mrs. Desmond viii be
there" replied the gallant little man promptly
Mrs. So.ner'S blue eyes clOIded- This was not
at all what she wanted. Minnas face bright
lear Clenentlna's society.
..Ies | shall certainly go" she said, shedding
her brightest smile on FITS. "I thought. C!emen-
tina, you ueau; 10 drive out TO Richmond 10 call
on old Lady Merrywcather, she added Sweetly at
the same time darling h2lf-dehant glance across
'To Richmond-' echoed the other. arching her
delicate eyebrows; 1.-THE dust would be Simply In
tO.crdb.e and Old Lady Merry her is my aver
sion Besides never like TO miss one of Mrs
EaJOn's matineeS. You know how l dote on
music"
what a ib.' thought Miana. 81 don't believe
she Knows 'Ruie Britannia from the Dead March
In saul But SIe made no audible remark. anu
Tie three arranged 10 meet later at Mrs. Eitons.
CiemenIInt had a Charming little mouse in Park
street and she prGed herself greatly artis-
tic Arrangement OF her rooms Her establishment
was small but the servants were admirably
drilled and heput up 10 the mark BY young lady
IA COusln-wnO acted u sort OF satellite or
humble companion to the lair widow. Indeed,
much OF the credit Mrs SoLners received for per-
nent SHOULD have been placed TO this young lady's
account.
On returning from her matutinal airing In the
Row, CIeInentlna was not IN the best OF tempers
and Mary GREY had rather bad time OF it. Every
thing was wrong; the outlets at luncheon were
pronounced uneatabie, the ciaret corked the flow
ers faded, and the lap-dogs condition ANYTHING
but what 1t should be.
Fortunately Mary had the command OF tenper
proper 10 q dependent and poor relation: She
listened 10 all the complaints Ia silence and with
eyes meekly downcaSt, and after ward went
through Aer customary duty or dressing her
patrOneSs, for Mis- Somers Kept no maid Mary
WAS more Skillul and 50 much cheaper than the
ordinary run OF AbigailS; without evin,inr a
sCGtilIa OF the wrath That was snoulderlng IN her
bosom
But when the lady had departed, arrayed In full
war-paint and feathers, the frreverent Miss
Grey put IL, the humble companion performed ],
sort OF pas eItGse round the room. looked al her,
SELF in tine glaSS-she was very pretty, for her grey
eyes Were wonderfully bright and expressive and
her complexion was simply perfecL-ShoOk her
list At the I.y-llDg. Il snatch OF "A usj;u r